Help can't pay my bills - starting to receive demands!

lily23_2

I'm really scared and don't know what to do, i feel absolutely miserable! Been lurking on here and hoping someone will help.

I lost my job and my ex boyriend has left to move back with his parents leaving me to pay everything. Now i'm recieving threatening letters demanding payment! I've very little income and no way to pay!

Hope i put this in the right place?

GeorgeUK

I would suggest contacting one of the free debt charities and possibly citizens advice.

Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?
Hopefully CAB will be able to help with that.
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Post up a statement of affairs and we'll see if there is anything that we may be able to suggest.
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

If you have loans, creditcards or mortgage, do any of these have payment protection insurance?

(Taken from Fermi's signature)

Professional, free and impartial advice on debt problems can be obtained from several charitable and 'not for profit' organisations. They never make a penny from the advice they give, which means it will be given with only your best interests at heart. You can contact:

Your local CAB Office and ask to speak to a 'money advisor'
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) - Tel: 0800 138 1111
National Debtline - Tel: 0808 808 4000
Payplan - Tel: 0800 917 7823

talana

Make yourself a cuppa, fill in that soa that George mentions, and post it back on this thread.
I'm sure people will then have plenty of useful ideas for you.

Pollydaydream

lily, just wanted to say hi and welcome to MSE.

Don't be scared by the letters - they're mostly computer-generated and sent out automatically. They can't have what you haven't got - your rent, utlilities, council tax and food are priorities.

You need to put together an SOA (a list of your money coming in and going out) and post it up so that the very knowledgable people on here can give you some advice.

I think there's a site where you can do this - I hope someone will be along in a minute with a link to it.

You sound like you've had a bad time recently, but it will get better. You've taken the first step by saying hi .

Polly

Pollydaydream

Oops, cross-posted. Thanks George .

lily23_2

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household.........
Number of cars owned....................

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 441

Worked as a restrant supervisor full time through university and after graduated so get contributions based jsa. Have also included local lha rate which i'm waiting to
hear about.

Other income............................ 50 - loan repayment from ex
Total monthly income.................... 491

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 350

Landlady currently advertising, i'm also looking, for another tenant but i'm responsible for full rent until someone else moves in. Landlady has been understanding as i should have paid her yesterday but she'll wait until benefit approved.

Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 78

Owe 3 months - even wanted me to pay all £798 at once but has now been suspended until benefit sorted.

Electricity............................. 10
Gas..................................... 5
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 13.33
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 17
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 60
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 10.75
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 544.08


As you can see cut everything to bare minimum, am trying not to spend anything unless absolutely nessicary.

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
overdraft......................1500......0.........0 - Had overdraft facility which i never used, but loaned ex money for a car needed for work. He's paying back £50 a month.
rent...........................350.......0.........0 - due yesterday
water..........................160.......0.........0 - recieved demand today as instalment of £78 was due last week which i couldn't pay.



Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 491
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 544.08
Available for debt repayments........... -53.08
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount short for making debt repayments. -53.08

Sorry this took so long, it was quite scary. I've never had to worry about money before now. I worked full time waitressing to pay way through university and left university with £3500. Now a year later i can't meet essential bills. Claiming benefits was never something i though i'd have to do and makes me feel even worse.

Thank you everyone for the kind messages - i've made myself a nice sweet cup of tea as suggested.

talana

Well done for doing that, it can be a bit daunting but at least it shows you the full picture.

The good news is that your debts right now are minuscule (although I appreciate it probably doesn't feel that way), so you're doing the right thing by tackling it now rather than ignoring it till it gets worse.

The root cause of your problem is of course lack of income. So apart from the obvious (job hunting), do check your benefit entitlements and also look into getting any sort of supplementary income. It all helps, even £50 here and there, and you can make cash just by sitting in front of your computer for example.
Some ideas here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/make-money

Even if just one or two of those ideas work for you, it's a start.
I'll come back with further thoughts in a while. Must have me dinner now.

lily23_2

I'm jobhunting hard at the moment. It was quite a shock when manager said the resturant was closing, it was my first and only job. I quite enjoyed it even though originally i only worked there to get through uni. Never considered making money online, thought it was all scams? Will look into ways to make money, ebay? I do have stuff i can sell.

Been through and sorted letters, really scared that soon they will start sending people round or take me to court. Can they do this? Surely if i'm trying to pay what i can each month. Seems like you miss one or two payments and your suddenly liable for whole bill immediately, no negotiation what so ever.

Council tax were threatening to take me to court but have now backed off. I'm now waiting to hear back from them as regards what i owe and payment plan after submitting claim for housing and council tax benefit.

United utitlies, should i phone them and explain my situation? They say i've lost my right to pay in installments and owe £160 immediately or they will take action.

My bank has said my overdraft will go down to £1000 next week and i should be below this by then or incur charges! Have tried to phone them today but struggled to get through and when finally spoke to someone all she'd say was that as it was a student overdraft it would be reduced £500 each year automatically.

talana

Ah, you have a bit more debt than I first noticed.

The first short-term solution that comes to mind is borrowing enough from your family to clear any overdue payments. Do your family know about yout financial difficulties?

Or maybe living with family for a few months to cut that rent bill to a minimum. Would help you get back on your feet.

lily23_2

I've been reading a few threads on here and it's really had an impact on me. I just want to say can't believe how supportive and helpful everyone is towards each other and to thank the regulars for their wonderful support, advice and time.

I feel really ashamed as my financial problems are tiny compared to others. It's come as a real shock with one thing after another the last few months. My confidence has been knocked to zero and then to be made to feel like a criminal. I had no idea companies acted like this, maybe it's the recession?

I can't borrow from my little sister - she's just completed final year of university herself and is currently jobhunting. Still in student digs so living with her isn't an option. She has considered moving in with me when the lease is up at end of July. I don't have any other immediate family.

talana

You should also ask your ex if he could speed up paying back what he owes you. Don't be antagonistic, but do press him.
You did him a favour by loaning him the money, now you need him to do you a favour in return. Especially if he's working and you're not.

With all your creditors, do contact them and do explain that you're struggling.
Be honest and try to work with them. After all, they can't take what you don't have, can they?